TOGETHER AGAIN

Yesterday Prentiss was given blood because he was anemic and it was thought some of his symptoms could be related to this. He had a "rough" day, but then slowly began to improve. The nurse told "little Mama" she could actually, visually see the gradual change come over him. Well, guess what!! he got to come home today.....so tonight will be the first night they are together.
It is so awesome to see them together, side by side. As you will see they are dressed totally different, even different colored pacifiers. "Little Mama" is concerned by dressing the same she will mix up and give the medications to Luke. It is difficult to distinguish between the two.

Tomorrow Prentiss will see the cardiologist and we are expecting great things. He is doing much better. He is eating and sleeping and waking up as he should. Then they both go to the neonatologist tomorrow for 2 day check up. It will be a "family" trip with both grandmothers and Uncle J. helping out. "Our first outing" HA!!! Doesn't it look like they are trying to "hold hands" in the picture!! HA!!!

I heard on the radio today when things happen to us it so no "surprise" to GOD.....He already knew and HE IS IN CONTROL!! THANK YOU GOD!

I do not have the words to express the gratitude I feel that we have so many people praying for our babies. There are people all over the world praying. I thank you and pray GOD will return His blessing to you double fold.

I will keep you posted on the cardiology visit.

Hugs to all!

Luke is going home

Luke is going home today!! Yipee! Little Mama and Dad had a "room-in" last night so that he could go home today. They also allowed Prentiss to stay
in as well. NOTE: they were taking pictures AND...."this is Luke, no THIS is Luke"....better get out the nail polish folks!!!

Another neonatologist was on-call this morning and he said Prentiss was anemic and needed a transfusion, thus some of his symptoms may be related to that rather than the heart. The "talk" yesterday was air-lift to Arkansas Children's Hosp or have surgery at Univ of MS Med Center. Now the talk is wait and see, treat with meds. Will potentially go home tomorrow on meds and see the cardiologist in a couple of days. At that point, I'm sure another decision will have to be made.

Just now received a call from Dad, they just received a call from doctors Luke has a heart murmer also...don't know at this point what kind. More later.

Latest news

Update....Prentiss has been placed on Lasix, Captopril, and digoxin. Cardiologist wants to operate, Neonatologist wants to wait until he is 6 mos. The plan at present is to have him on the meds for 72 hrs. and if the meds are working then the surgery will be postponed until his is older and the heart muscles will not be damaged by waiting....however, if they are not working then will have to go ahead with surgery to prevent permanent damage to heart muscle.
That is all we know at this point.

Happy Birthday MOM

Happy Birthday Mom !!! I love you!!!I I have THE BEST MOM ever.....
A mom who is loving, self sacrificing, loves the Lord, long suffering, gives beyond measure.
Yes, that is my Mom and I am greatful the God has allowed me to still have her.
Happy Birthday Mom, I hope and prayer this will be your best year ever!!!!

Prentiss returns to NICU

It has been a few days since I last made an entry. As I mentioned in my last entry Prentiss came home on Tuesday about 6pm. He was not feeding well and was difficult to awaken. This morning he had to be taken back to the hospital to be seen by neonatologist. A heart echo was done and it revealed his PDA has reopened resulting in enlarged heart and pulmonary edema. Dr. said it was like an adult having congestive heart failure. He was started on Lasix and possible digoxin tonight. Depending on his condition tonight he would possibly be transferred to NICU at the University Med Center. Luke is doing well, still choking a little when he takes his bottle. Prentiss is back in NICU with Luke.We said they wanted to be together, but we didn't want it like this. We are believing God to intervene and make him whole. We do not understand reasons for things that happen, but I DO KNOW that GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Please continue to prayer for our little ones.

I do hope that everyone had a blessed and happy MERRY CHRISTMAS.

It's Official

Yes, it's official Mom and Dad are "rooming in" at the hospital tonight with Prentiss so that he can be discharged home tomorrow. I'm sure they won't get much sleep tonight...HA!
(first of many, right?) We are excited, but sad too that Luke will have to stay. We are told he had a "good" day today. So we thank GOD for his healing power and blessing on our family.
Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone the Glory)

Which one am I ?

I took these pictures yesterday...I should have labeled them at that point, but did not. Now, I can't say which is which!! Oh brother, where is the nail polish???

Good news!! Prentiss will go home Tues or Wed. He advanced to a crib...no more looking those plastic to see his cute little face. He weighs 5 lbs 3 oz today. Mom and Dad will have a "sleep in" at the hospital the night before his discharge to see how they manage....Dad is a little nervous I think because they are so little. They were told to hold back visitors and "little munchkins" from visiting when they get home since it is RSV season. We are sad that Luke won't be home for Christmas but we don't want him coming home before he is ready. Those bicycles will just have to wait!!HA!!!! Still trying to load that video, unable to yet....maybe I will get some "help" from my computer friends!! Later.

Please pray for little Luke he had a couple of apneas spells (stops breathing) last night requiring oxygen. According to the doctors every time he does that "buys" him seven more days.
Luke weighed 4lbs 11oz Prentiss weighed 5lbs 2oz. last night. Dr. also told us Prentiss still has the PDA and ASD and will have another echo. We are trying to be encouraged this morning.

Look Mom, No tubes

We were such good boys today the doctor said we could pull our tubes out...and poof they are gone. We are enjoying sucking on our own bottles and want more with each feeding. We are anxious to know when can we go home?? We promise to be extra good!!! *we can hardly wait to get home and play tricks on our Mom and Dad, "I'm Prentiss...no I'm Prentiss...no I'm Luke" tee hee..* wink* It is going to be so much fun....Do you know which one I am???

Prentiss 5lbs 1oz
Luke 4lbs 8 oz

Update, as promised

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
And while she held him, she sang: I'll love you forever, I'll like you always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

(excert from Love You Forever by Robert Munsch) A must read!!!!

Today Prentiss weighs in at 4 lbs 15oz. Luke weighs 4lbs 7oz. They are doing well, learning to suck, swallow, and breath at the same time. It is so amazing watching this process. Doctors told us not to get our hopes up for discharge by Christmas. Maybe by the end of week Prentiss will be out of isolette and into a crib...hope,hope. Today family members had to take a CPR class in preparation for discharge. We are getting closer........yeah!!!!

Best Little Brother Award

This star award goes to my little brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely have THE BEST LITTLE BROTHER. Hey, little brother that is what I believe no matter what ETHEL says !!HA!! He has been sick with the crud and he called me tonight to check on me. Well, I told him I had had computer problems (because he had noticied I had not blogged and of course he doesn't read it anyway)......so....he asked if I had tried to restore system. I had not thought about that.....so....I did it and OMG...guess what IT WORKED!!!! By the way, his line of work is computers with a large company that all of us lady well know......

So now I can update you on the babies, tell a few jokes, and just in general feed my habit!!!!

YES.....;) Tune in tomorrow for that update.

You Go PaPaw

Today someone sent me this e-mail. I couldn't resist posting. Sorry "papaws", I guess with age comes alittle liberation. Love it.

Dad at the Mall ****

I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes (he is 92). We decided to grab a bite at the food court. I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him. The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue. My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and find him staring every time. When the teenager had had enough, he sarcastically asked, 'What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?' Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would not choke on his response, knowing he would have a good one, and in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response. 'Got drunk once, and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son.'

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance

in the rain.

I would have loved to have seen that teenagers face! I bet he didn't expect that one!!HA!!!!

It's dead

Ok, now friend you've got me hooked on this bloggin thing and now my computer has "kicked the bucket". What's a girl to do?? I borrowed a computer to make this entry today. Needless to say I will spend the day shopping for another....she says MAC....I say PC.....what do my bloggin friends say? HELP.........oh...I'm having withdrawals and its NOT GOOD..............later

Looky, Looky Santa has come

Can you believe I walked into the room and look what I found. Not only is there one, but there is another one on the way. Yes, two John Deere bikes. I am totally innocent to this one....you can blame this one on Pappy. Can you see we are so "in trouble" and wrapped around some little fingers......






I am on my way to the hospital to see those "little fellows". Todays weights: Luke is 4lbs 3oz and Prentiss is 4lbs 10oz....will let you know how they are today after my visit.....Have a great day.

Happy Birthday, lil brother!

Happy Birthday, Lil brother!! I lite the candles on your cake and the smoke alarm went off!! tee-hee ): Hope you are feeling better today. Did yo wifey get you yesterday with a snowball? She sure wanted to!! Wish I was there to give you your birthday day present, so since I'm not I guess I have to keep it myself. HA!! I know you say you don' t read my blog, but I know better!! HA!!!! HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burrrrrrrrr, baby it's cold outside

Baby, it's cold outside. I know the bloggin world is buzzin this morning. MS is having a "snow storm". It is pretty outside with everything white with snow. As I sit here I have begun to hear a slight pitter-patter on the windows...ugh,oh...now it is sleeting...little pellets of ice which makes our snow so dangerous. The overpass get frozen mixed with crazy drivers and a little "road rage" and you've got a deadly combination. No, Ethel I'm not talking about myself....just in general.





I was glad to have put out some bird food yesterday. Look at the pretty red birds. There were so many I couldn't count. There were also doves on the ground.
I love to watch the birds. I have been running from window to window watching the snow and birds. Glad I was alone, that would be a sight to see....tee-hee!!

Progress report on the boys. Luke weighs in at 4lbs 3oz and Prentiss weighs in at 4lbs 90z. As you know, Prentiss has had a rough couple of days. Poor baby was "stuck" so many times trying to get another IV started. They finally started in his scalp. He is having another echo today. We were told by the nurses in NICU yesterday they did not need to be touched or stimulated in anyway....since they have had episodes of decreased heart rates and oxygen sats. So, YaYa will love them from a distance and pray for them. Mom is having a difficult time not being able to hold them., but she wants what is best for them. Please remember to continue to pray for them.

Hope all you fellow Mississippians out there enjoy the snow for the day....next week is suppose to be "hot" weather again.....true MS weather.....cold then hot then back to cold!!!!!

Decorations

Last night I decided I better drag out the tree and ornaments since I have one more day off work. So, up in the attic I went and passed the boxes down to Pappy. Wah--Lahh....the tree was up and decorated. Last year I purchased a pre-lite tree which made the job much easier.
I also went with a small tree. The family was not as happy with the smaller tree, but it was either this or nothing.....
as you can see it is "skinny" and tall....unlike me!!HA!!

I tried several times to capture the entire tree then finally gave up. I have 2 sock monkeys under the tree for "our 2 little monkeys" HA!! Usually every year the family gathers and the tree is decorated while we "watch" the movie "Christmas Vacation". Our other favorite Christmas movies are "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life". This year we were so scattered it did not happen....next year will be better with "lots of little helping hands".

Improving

Prentiss has completed his IV medication for the PDA and will have another echo today. Doctor says the PDA "sound much better". God's hand is at work. He has now gained to 4lbs 8oz. This morning "little Mama" was allowed to give him his first bottle. He took one oz and tolerated it well. We are so pleased.







Ok, so we can't leave the "sheriff" out. Luke has gained to 3lbs 11oz...yeah!! He had a sonogram of his head yesterday "through the soft spot" and it was normal. Yes, God does have His hand on these little ones. The more Luke gains, the more he looks like Prentiss. We may be "in trouble" HA!






A few posts back I mentioned I was working on an apron. Yes, I did finish it and will try to post a picture. "My model" is unavailable so I will do the best I can. It turned out better than I thought.

It's back to work next week, didn't get all my projects completed...but hey! I did get to the hosp everyday to see "our little men" !!! That is what counts.....the projects can just wait a little longer.
Ooops!! Did I say "my model" was unavailable??? Pappy thought he could model just was well as anyone else.....so there you have it!!! His new career has been launched!!!!
Let me know what you think!!!!!!

Report

Today the doctors gave the following report: Prentiss has a Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) He also has a atrial septal defect (ASD). Tonight they started an IV and will be giving him medication for the PDA and will repeat the ECHO test on Sunday. It was not known at this time the plan for treatment of the ASD. We are trusing God for complete healing. Mom and Dad got to hold them tonight before leaving the hospital. I think it did Mom and Dad as much good as the babies for them to be held. They are holding up well under all the stress. I know that is because God is giving them the strength. Will continue to keep you updated. Thank you for all your prayers.

Walking by Faith

Did you catch that little smile? Today we were told by his nurse that they "heard" something when listening to his heart. He had a heart echo. We will learn results tomorrow. We are trusting God for this childs health. Please continue to pray with us for their health and well being.


Now Prentiss is checkin out his mother. Just look at that innocent face. God Bless it.


Now he says I am really tired of this and would like to go back to bed! How would you like to be stared at all the time?? HA!!!

Will let you know tomorrow what we learn. Thanks for all your prayers.

"New Sheriff" in town

Little Mom got to hold Luke briefly today. She let ME hold him for a few minutes. It was awesome. He now weighs 3Lbs 5oz. He pulled his feeding tube out again today. He is such a "little busy person". He is now on "low flow oxygen". He was just looking at us....like "what are you lookin at people, I want to do my own thang"!! I am told he already has a temper, but his brother Prentiss has a bigger temper according to his nurse!! HA!!.
I didn't get to spend time with Prentiss today because Dad just got off work and came in....so I had to go out....only 2 visitors at a time.....so until next time.......

How'd I Do That??

Oh Boy, how'd I do that?? Remember Urkel?? well, that was me last night, scratching my head and wondering how I got back to my original blog?? HA!! I was just tryin to get a little Christmas going on here, you know what I mean??? And what was so bad??? I was trying to get Ethel to go along with me!! ha!!! I called her and said, "don't do it Ethel"!! She made a statement on a previous blog that read....you can't teach an old dog new tricks....I think I agree. HA!!!

I was suppose to be on vacation this week...was going to San Antonio, TX but those babies changed my plans. So, I will try to get caught up on some of my sewing projects (in between going to the hospital) HA!! tee hee....wonder how much I will get done?? I am trying to make an apron with Amy Butler newest fabrics and am anxious to get started. Will let you know how that goes....later

P.S. Happy Birthday, Connie!! FYI 50's not so bad!!!!

Yipee-Yeah!!

.




Luke has gained one oz today. He has been fed. He had one episode of apnea today.







Prentiss weighed 3 lbs 13oz today. He has been fed and is chilled out.

Little Mama and Daddy got to hold babies last night for the first time. They continue to progress. Please continue to pray for them.

How was everyones Thanksgiving dinner? Well, as everyone that knows me...knows mine did not go without a hiccup! Normally, I would serve around 20 give or take--yesterday I was down to 10....you would think I could handle that. I don't know who I thought I was feeding..I could have fed a small army!! As you know, time is key when you are working with one stove with 4 eyes and a small kitchen. As the preparation and cooking progressed it was evident I would for once in my life "get it right"....well, my daughter in law (not little mama) had to prepare a "dish" as I was moving some dishes around to clear the way----yes, you guessed it "Ethel" dumped an entire broccoli and cauliflower casserole upside down on my stove top...spreading all over everything. I had to completely remove all the eyes and lift the top to clean the mess.....I even had to change clothes, as it even "went there"!!! OMG_____Hot flashes included! You should have been there Lucy----that would have been your good laugh of the day!!! Now once it was all cleaned I didn't feel too bad. We all had a good laugh. When my aunt arrived she had talked to my cousin in N.C. and learned she had just finished cooking the perfect dinner and realized she had left out the pecans in her "perfect" pecan pie!!!! HA!! By the way, this is the same cousin that had cooked a wonderful pumpkin pie and brought to my house for Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago and forgot to add the sugar!!!HAHA!!! I think "it" runs in the family----Ethel, Lucy and ......(what can we name her?)

It was a great day and we are thankful....just Makin Memories!!!!!

Gobble, Gobble

Gobble, Gobble!!! It's Turkey Day!!!

Thankful, thankful for so much!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my bloggin friends!! Thanksgiving has revolved over the years to be my favorite holiday. With the change of foliage, a quick snap in the air, and gathering of family and friends to our home for a big dinner makes me realized how very blessed I am. This year my brother and his family will not be with us, but I will certainly miss their presence. I love to have my family in my home to share lots of laughter, our favorite foods, and stories of years gone by. As a child, I remember my grandmother would start cooking days before to prepare a wonderful feast. I thought of her today as I began my cooking preparations....life goes on....and so it does!!
The boys continue to progress. Luke weighs 3 lbs , Prentiss weighs 3lbs, 14 oz.
Happy Thanksgiving little guys from your YaYa! I love you very much. This time next year you will be with us.......YES!!

Bittersweet

Today was a bittersweet day. Little Mama got to go home today, but babies had to stay in NICU. She was home briefly before returning back to hospital for several hours. She is having a difficult time staying away. The boys are progressing well I think. Luke now weighs 3lbs 4oz, Prentiss weighs 3lbs 14oz. They look so tiny and sweet. Luke is having some apnea. Luke is the ACTIVE one (stickn out his tongue). Prentiss lies there all chilled out. He will open his eyes if you talk to him. Of course, I like to think he knows me !!! HA!!!
Can hardly wait to hold them both. Please keep them in your prayers.

Baby update

Just got off work and went by the hospital to see "little Mama" and babies. "Little Mama" will go home in the morning. She is having a difficult time having to leave the babies at the hospital. Luke has lost an oz and Prentiss has gained an oz. They are off C-Pap and taking oxygen by nasal cannula. Everyday is a milestone. We are grateful God is watching over them and has them in His hands.
Check out the pictures.


This picture was taken the day they were born.
11/20/08.


Luke is sticking out his tongue to everyone!!!






Luke has his "cool dude" glasses on.

Prentiss opened his eyes for his YaYa and his Grandma Nicander. His nurse said he like to be talked to. HA!! sounds like his Mama !! HA!!!!!!




Can you tell I am "already wrapped"???HA!!! Yep! that's it!!!

They are here!!

It has been a busy week. "Little Mama" had to go back to the hospital. This is her third admission, having 18 contractions in an hour. She had to go in the middle of her most recent shower, last Sunday afternoon. After 3 days and unable to stop contractions the "little fellows" could not be held back any longer. They presented to us at 3:00pm yesterday. Both are doing well. Of course, they are in NICU and we are unable to hold them. We are thankful they are doing as well as they are. Luke weighs 3lbs 5oz ,16 1/4 in long. Prentiss weighs 3 lbs 12oz, 17in long.
We were not expecting the "plactic bags"!! Their faces were not covered, but it looked quite scarey. Oh, by the way...not to forget...."little Mama" and Dad are doing great.
I'll try to get more pictures posted as I can.
Whew!! it's emotionally tiring to be YaYa~~ HA!!!

Oh me, Ethel. I've done it again!

Well, shut my mouth and call me stupid!!!!! It all started when I got the GREAT idea to update my blog template. So, Lucy went to work and quickly the house began to tumble, soon I had NOTHING left but the title. I had managed to lose every widget and HTML post on my blog. In one quick flick of the finger, it just went away out into cyberspace somewhere. Imagine the sudden horror on my face!!! And now four hrs later, I still do not have it back to even the original.....leave it to Lucy to "fix" matters. I was all alone today thinking I would get so much done....NOT!!! Like I said, Lucy had to get involved and just blew it all away. Today was the BIG 55 birthday, maybe that is what happened to my brain....."brain farts".
I am so backed up on my sewing projects for my etsy shop. Tryin not to stress about that. Most of my stress level is on the "babies".
Speaking of that, there is another baby shower tomorrow and I have still got to get a cake baked for that....let's just hope Lucy doesn't show up in the kitchen tonight.
More tomorrow...Good Night Lucy!!!!

Guilt Works

Hey guys!! It worked, she's backkkk!! As you know my sister in law has been MIA. Well, I have layed on the "guilt-trip". Telling her everyone in the bloggin world was in a wild search for her.
My mother even thought her computer was broken and thought she needed to take it in for service because she couldn't get the blog going. Now, if that doesn't make a one "feel-bad"!! Whatever it took you know to get her back in the groove. I had even decided today to put a "all-points-bulletin" out on her with my sad face on it.

Then much to my SURPRISE, this morning there it is......SHE IS BACK!!!! YEAH!!!!! You can never tell about that gurl!!! She is FULL of IT......
Will sign off for now!!!

Babies Update

SO, this is an update of our little babies. Little Mama went for check-up today. Doctor gave her a good report. She still remains on bedrest and turbutaline pump. It is not without its adverse effects, but she is a "trooper" and dealing with it. The doctor told her she could remain on the pump until 37 weeks if necessary. You can now see the boys kicking and rolling around as her tummy shifts and moves. She has a mini-dachs named Chopper.
You should see him lying next to her and the boys kicking him. He just lifts his head and looks at little Mama like "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR??? WHAT"S GOING ON??? Little does he know what's ahead!! HA!!! Little Mama is 29 weeks today and counting, counting, counting.

Hot Flashes

Here, here--calling all women over 40 typically who know about HOT FLASHES! If you've had one, there no mistaking it. You would absolutely know. It's like someone shoved a hot iron up yo butt "Flame-On". As I sit here, I feel like I will implode. It's not a good thang!!!! You may be the nicest person in the world, but when IT strikes, you feel that bead of sweat pop-out on your upper lip and around your neckline in the dead of winter (and everyone else is freezing) it's like having Tourette's syndrome, words you have never used will fly out of your mouth, no matter where you are. The flash is then followed by flush,leaving you reddenned, perspiring and with a sudden urge to hurt someone close to you really bad. Ever heard that expression, "I'm out of Prozac and I have a gun"!!!


Hot!! how hot??450 degrees oven, hotter than a tater hot!!! Are you kiddin me?? If you've never experienced it, just keep on livin. What is the cause you might ask??----WHO CARES!!! I'd just like a cure. Our estrogen is gone, bye,bye no more eggs.There are more eggs in our refrigerators than in our bodies. Don't give us therapy, give us a cure, something!! anything!! to stop the sweat from going down the small of our back. It's so annoying.....OH, the other issue, joint and muscle pain (which sometimes goes along with menopause) therefore, sitting with fans blowing at category 5 hurricaine speed is not an option....so what's a gurl to do!! Until that cure comes along......BURN, BABY, BURN!!!!
Oh, and guys watch out for those guns!!!!

Cranberry Apple Relish

I love the fall season and all the things that go with the cooler weather. The gathering of friends and family to enjoy each others company and feast on special treats only prepared during this time. The most important being thankful for God's blessings. I got this recipe a few years ago from a friend and it was a success with the family. So, I thought I would share.


Cranberry-Apple Relish

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 lb Granny Smith apples
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts


Combine cranberries, apples, brown sugar and water in a large saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 mins, stirring frequently. Stir in cinnamon and walnuts, cook 5 mins.



Ladle hot relish into hot jars. Process 15mins in a boiling water canner.
Serve spread over a 8 oz package cream cheese with toasted sliced bageattes or crackers.
Enjoy!!! mmmmmm good!!!!

Getting Our Attention, Seriously

You know, I love to laugh and have fun as much as most or maybe more. However, I write today with a request for prayer from my bloggin friends. This is an update on the babies. As you know, my younger son and wife are expecting twin boys--due Jan.26, 2009. For the last 2 weeks they have been trying to get everyones attention and succeeding. "Little mama" has been admitted to the hospital twice for contractions, not Braxton Hicks, but "for-real" contractions. She has been discharged home on a terbutaline pump which administers continual medication with bolus doses depending on the monitor twice a day through a needle in her thigh. Today has been difficult, having 18 contractions in one hr. Yesterday was better with only 1-3 per hr. So, as you can see it is an emotional roller coaster. I continue to pray God's hands on them, to keep them "in the oven" for a time when He sees fit for them to be born. I must remember the Lord's timing is perfect. Pray for strength and courage, to continue to trust that God knows best and He will not leave us or forsake us during this time.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverence. Ps 32:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. Ps 28:7

The Lord is their (Prentiss and Luke) strength, and He is the saving strength of his annointed. Ps 28:8

Thank you for your prayers.

Calmness in Your Life

It has been a crazy week, need lots of calming regimens.
STRESS!! Well, here is what I found today to answer those needs !! Keep in mind it is not for the weak at heart!!


By following simple advise heard on the Dr.Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished. So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished (and there were lots)
and before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Tequila, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.

You have no idea how freakin good I feel right now!!! Tee Hee!!





Just kiddin :)

Taser Gun--Rated PG

Ok, so I got this in an e-mail. Sounds like a Bubba story to me!! A perfect gift guys for your wife!!

Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Taser for their anniversay submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something =2 0 at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife, Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety...??

WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home.

I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. NOTHING!

I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. AWESOME!!!

Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two AAA batteries, RIGHT????

There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul)while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh and blood moving target.

I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie(for a fraction of a second)and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But,if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of short and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand , and taser in another.

The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a 2 second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a 3 second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than 3 second would be wasting the batteries. All the while I'm looking at this device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple A batteries) thinking to myself, 'no possible way'!

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do by best...? I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, 'don't do it dipsh--,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for the heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed
the button, and ...HOLY MOTHER OF GOD...

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION...WHAT THE HEL-!!!!!

I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs?

The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative?

S-O-B, that hurt like HE--!!!

A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on
the mantel of the fireplace. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nupples were still twitching.

My face felt like it had been shot up with Novacain, and my bottom lip weighted 88lbs. I had no control over the drooling. Apparently I pooped myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair. I'm still looking for my nuts and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!!

P.S. My wife loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!!!

Black-eyed Pea Cornbread

Come on now you southern girls and give this one a try. I got it from my sister-in-law. It was a huge success with my family. This is almost a meal on its own. It is YUM-YUM.

Ingredients: 1lb pork sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 can cream style corn
1 can black-eyed peas (use the jalapeno black-eyed peas)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped (optional-I used the kind in a jar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Cook sausage and onion in a large skillet until sausage crumbles and browned. Drain and set aside. Combine cornmeal and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs then add buttermilk and oil. Combine the dry and wet ingredients stirring until moistened. Stir in sausage and remaining ingredients. Pour into prepared dish. Bake at 350 for 50-55 mins or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serves 8-12.

UGH,OH!!! I just lost my picture of the cooked cornbread, maybe I can find it and post it again...leave it to me to screw something up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


TIP: to break-up the sausage after it is cooks use this little gadget. As the sausage cooks in the skillet with the onion, gently "rock it back and forth" in the sausage. Works like a charm.